It wasn’t just soaring electricity prices, but above all the need for energy stability and a desire to make its production more environmentally friendly that led the Cemmac cement works in Horne Srnie, western Slovakia, to revive plans to harness the power of the sun for its energy needs.
One year on from construction of its own photovoltaic power plant, at a former quarry, it has proved to be a sound move, says Martin Kebisek, CEO of Cemmac.
“Such solutions give us long-term stability and better control over costs,” Kebisek said in mid-September, as the company marked the first anniversary of operations at the photovoltaic plant.
The Slovak Sustainable Energy Association (SAPI), which until recently operated under the name Slovak Association of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Industry, sees this project positively.
“It’s a textbook example of on-site photovoltaics for self-consumption in heavy industry,” SAPI director Jan Karaba said.
Not only is it located in a reclaimed quarry right next to the plant, but around 99% of the electricity generated is consumed on-site. This model reduces emissions and places virtually no burden on the distribution grid.
“This is exactly what SAPI has long been advocating: local generation, local consumption, and smaller grid peaks,” said Karaba.
Cemmac first explored the idea of using photovoltaics in 2013. At that time, however, legislation only allowed for small rooftop installations, which would have been of little use to the cement works.
After considering alternatives such as cogeneration units and wind turbines, they returned to photovoltaics, identifying it as the most economically and environmentally viable solution for their power needs.
In 2022, with the lifting of the so-called “stop status” on connecting new sources to the grid, the firm finally got the chance to go ahead with its plans. (The Slovak Spectator)